requesting help from AT owners

[boknows]

Hello everyone,

I have been hanging out on here for a while drooling over everyone's setup and have been leaning hard on the wife for the financial approval which I just got. So we have been talking about what features we want on the trailer and trying to work out the small details before we drop an order. I have a wife and two small children, 4yo and 2 yo and want for it to be something we can be comfortable camping in. The tow vehicle will be my Jeep Wrangler, which frankly, we've outgrown and my stock 4runner may get to pull it oocassionally. The Jeep is my toy but I get Bummed, because I can't even take it camping with all the crap I haul in it. So, the light AT seems to be the natural answer. We are looking at the Chaser model outfitted with

EA 1800
engel 45L
12 volt system
nose box
water tank
lock and roll hitch
rear stabilizer
stove
Tailgate

A couple of questions for you guys though, I am running 35 MTs on the jeep, beyond size and coolness factor, does it matter if the trailer tires are MTs? My thought is since no power is transferred to them aren't they are in fact being drug through/over whatever?

This may be a naive question, but for those of you with fridges in trailer, how do you charge your system while in the field other than solar?

And if you have any other advice or suggestions on what you could've done without or wish you had, they would be appreciated. The wife and kids have been tent camping with me for years so this will be a real step up, duration will be 3-7 day outings and I live in Washington State so there are plenty of opportunities to get out in the mountains. Thanks

Jason

 

[Trail Monkey]

some help...

IMO the biggets reason to run the same rim/tire as the truck is so that you only have to carry one spare for the truck and trailer. and in case of major problem you can always have the two trailer tires as extra for the truck as well to go for help if needed.

the fridge should be wired to a battery in the trailer nose box. that battery to a charger and the electrical system of the truck. when your truck is running the battery is always charged and hence when you turn the truck off the fridge will have the reserve from that battery, which if the proper battery is chosen from AT, you will get several days at least without running the truck or solar.. of course a small 4 stroke genny is an option for your 5-7 day stays without hookup to the truck.

 

[boknows]

Thanks Trail Monkey, nice jeep...I am partial to white wranglers, mind hanging a pic of your rig and trailer? I am tracking on the same tire size. I will be running 35s and have a full size spare. Do you think there a benefit for running MTs on a trailer? I was thinking about just going with an AT because I have never heard the argument on it.

For your charging system on the trailer, does is pull power from your trailer wiring harness or do you something additional running to it?

 

[TheMike]

Welcome boknows.

Is sounds like our trailers are/will be set up the same. A difference I saw though is that I run dual batteries and an inverter. If it wasn't for the Chaser, we would have outgrown the LJ as well but it's a whole different world when having that trailer safely and comfortably behind you wherever we go. The Jeep now just caries some drinks and some trail tools/parts. EVERYTHING else is in the trailer!

As far as those MT's, I think it's a personal choice. I matched my 35 MTR's all the way around because I KNOW them and how they perform. I find myself in places that I need to count on the tires sticking to the rocks or absorbing what they are on. I don't want a 2000 lbs weight sliding over a hill or what not. Besides matching trail characteristics and the spare issue, like you said it looks just plain cool!

With the charging issue, you will need a 7-way RV type of plug on the jeep. Unless you have a Rubicon, you will need to run brake and charging wire yourself to the rear of the Jeep. There are loads of resources on how to do this on these boards or others (or you can just pay to have it done). If you have a Rubi, then I would recommend the MOPAR trailer wiring kit which comes with absolutely everything including the trailer brake wire. In other words, the standard flat 4 plug with do nothing for your trailer except the lights.

You didn't mention brakes on your list of options so I will say this....get brakes if you are going to use the TJ as it's tow vehicle. Everyone has their opinion on brakes but the JT has weak brakes as it is while running 35's and putting 2000 lbs of unbraked weight is not a matter of IF a problem will arise but how many miles can you go before you WILL have a serious problem!

Mario is an awesome dude and will guide you on everything you need to successfully merge your vehicle needs. Knowing Mario, he will chime in here soon enough.

The RTT camping on the Chaser is worlds above everything to ground tent camping. It's all tent camping but the tent is where the similarities end. My wife and 4 year old daughter love it and by nature of the Off-Road trailer, we get out to places that we don't see anyone else the whole trip and can truly explore in comfort and security.

If I or anyone else can help don’t hesitate to ask. Congrats on the choice and I am sure we would all like to see pics after delivery!

Mike

 

[boknows]

Mike,

Your setup has been the catalyst of my obsessions, I read one of your threads that had a ton of pics. My wife saw your little blonde haired girl in one of them with the Chaser in the foreground and that just sealed the deal. So I guess I owe you thanks. As for our daughters looking simliar, you weren't in Florida during the summer of 04 were you?:costumed-smiley-007

It's not a rubicon and I will be ordering brakes, must've overlooked them. So, the 7 prong harness' do lights and brakes but no charging? Do you run a brake controller in your jeep with the electric brakes?

 

[spressomon]

I have run 35" MT/R's on my rig and Horizon since I picked it up in '06. Although I think MT/R's on a ~2,000lb trailer are bit overkill I wanted the rotating ability amongst all my tires, carry only one spare for the rig & trailer and in an extreme case I could cannibalize the trailer tires if need be (fortunately that hasn't happened yet). I've just switched to the Toyo Open Country AT 285R75 18 (35"x~11") E rated tires all the way around. The upcoming Hurricane Lake AT Fest will be the first real opportunity to see how they do in more challenging terrain.

You'll really get the good out of a trailer mounted awning: Quick to deploy and super useful. Get the Partner Steel Stove complete with the AT custom tire shelf. I run dual batteries since I'm out in ccccold temps and use a 12V electric blanket to keep it toasty in my Maggiolina. Like all things electric: Add up your power requirements to figure out how much battery you will need.

Ditto on the electric brakes: Gotta have them for safe off-road (and on-road IMO travel); cabin mounted brake controller. If you are not going to install a battery isolator between the rig and the trailer charging/battery systems just get in the habit of unplugging the 7-pin when you stop for any length of time to keep the trailer battery from sucking down your main vehicle battery...has worked for me.

I have a better idea for you: Buy my loaded Horizon complete with the latest issue suspension struts so I can get in line for their next off-road trailer incarnation :drool:. ;-)

 

[Redline]

Yes to Brakes & same size/type tire. I thought of using an all-terrain tire for efficiency, but having extra MTs back there to swap to the tow vehicle if needed, is a good survival plan like spressomon said. You might need that traction from the spare.

I like the partner steel stove and wood shelf too (about to use the shelf instead of stainless steel for the first time in a couple weeks).

I would also consider an ARB refer instead of the Engel. I know they are 'the same' except the ARB has a built in thermometer and I think it's worth it. You want to keep food cold enough, but not frozen. I thought of this before buying and talked myself out of the ARB, wish I would have done it (still might).

 

[pygmyowl]

Yes definitely get the awning, when it is raining prop up the little awning over your Eezi Awn door, then the water drains off that and on to the Fiamma awning thus keeping the stove, myself and open box dry on my Horizon from the rain.

I would remove the cheezy plastic drain plug to the 19 gal water and replace with a nice ball valve - then you just bend down and fill up your pots, etc real quick with water.

Anybody got a tip for stopping my Engle 45 from sliding forward when on an incline on the built in fridge slide. I guess I need to drill a hole in the slide for a pin or something - sure would be nice if it would lock in the out position like it does when in for traveling
--------------------
06 Tundra Access Cab, LSD, ARB Bull Bar, Warn M8000, Rock Sliders, Donahoe Coilovers

 

[Martyn]

Yes to Brakes & same size/type tire. I thought of using an all-terrain tire for efficiency, but having extra MTs back there to swap to the tow vehicle if needed, is a good survival plan like spressomon said. You might need that traction from the spare.

I like the partner steel stove and wood shelf too (about to use the shelf instead of stainless steel for the first time in a couple weeks).

I would also consider an ARB refer instead of the Engel. I know they are 'the same' except the ARB has a built in thermometer and I think it's worth it. You want to keep food cold enough, but not frozen. I thought of this before buying and talked myself out of the ARB, wish I would have done it (still might).

James

The ARB thermometer isn't located in the refrigerator box, it's located at the condenser. So the temperature it indicates is inaccurate when it comes to the contents of the food. I would put my money on the Engel thermometer with a sensor that goes directly into the box.

It looks like Jason has been taken care of well with some sage advice.

 

[Martyn]

Yes definitely get the awning, when it is raining prop up the little awning over your Eezi Awn door, then the water drains off that and on to the Fiamma awning thus keeping the stove, myself and open box dry on my Horizon from the rain.

I would remove the cheezy plastic drain plug to the 19 gal water and replace with a nice ball valve - then you just bend down and fill up your pots, etc real quick with water.

Anybody got a tip for stopping my Engle 45 from sliding forward when on an incline on the built in fridge slide. I guess I need to drill a hole in the slide for a pin or something - sure would be nice if it would lock in the out position like it does when in for traveling
--------------------
06 Tundra Access Cab, LSD, ARB Bull Bar, Warn M8000, Rock Sliders, Donahoe Coilovers

The slide should lock in the closed position. Have a look at the handle mechanism and make sure it is moving freely. I'd have to have a look at one to see how the mechanism works and do some trouble shooting, so let me know if you need help.

 

[TheGillz]

I will give my .02c, But first how old are your kids? I would say if they are older than 4 I personally would think about a larger tent than the 1800, and a 60L fridge instead of the 45, or at least a 45 w/ a two zone. You state you will be out for up to 7 days, and with 4 people I think you would be more comfortable with more sleep room and food storage. I have a 6 and 10 yo, and am looking to the larger fridges and tents when I am ready to buy them.

 

[boknows]

Spressomon/pygmyowl,
I was looking into the awning but my question for the Chaser owners is, if you have got your tent up and the awning out the opposite side, can you open the trailer to get to the fridge? From what I have seen AT is using the Easy Awn awnings on the chasers because they can accomadate the extra length over the shorter Fiamma, I do like the idea of the expandable extra room with the EA.

Spressomon,
you selling cheap?:sombrero:

The Gillz,
I was rounding up when I first posted, the kids are 3.5 and 1.5 and the king size footprint of the 1800 should be like a mansion compared to tent I have been subjecting them too. When the kids get older they get the ground tent so I can look down at them and laugh

Thanks for all the input, I am eating it up

 

[spressomon]

Spressomon/pygmyowl,
I was looking into the awning but my question for the Chaser owners is, if you have got your tent up and the awning out the opposite side, can you open the trailer to get to the fridge? From what I have seen AT is using the Easy Awn awnings on the chasers because they can accomadate the extra length over the shorter Fiamma, I do like the idea of the expandable extra room with the EA.

Spressomon,
you selling cheap?:sombrero:

The Gillz,
I was rounding up when I first posted, the kids are 3.5 and 1.5 and the king size footprint of the 1800 should be like a mansion compared to tent I have been subjecting them too. When the kids get older they get the ground tent so I can look down at them and laugh

Thanks for all the input, I am eating it up

Hmmm...probably not. But depends on your definition of cheap If my AT was a prospective employee it would be worth more because of all the experience it has :xxrotflma

 

[GunnIt]

I occasionally pull my Horizon with my TJ Rubicon for short distances on paved roads. When the trailer is loaded and I have my wife, 7-year old son, and Newfoundland (big dog) in the jeep, it is not fun to drive and is very underpowered on the pavement. I'm sure that it is over gross and requires a great deal of concentration and shifting when encountering any hill. When on dirt roads or trails, it is fine and a pleasure to drive and tow. I'm actually looking at a trailer that I can load the jeep and trailer on to and tow with one of my diesel rigs and then off-load when I arrive at the trail. If planing on spending a lot of time on pavement...I would think twice as far as using the TJ as your primary tow vehicle.

If you do use the TJ, electric brakes are an absolute must.

X2 on the king size tent, I replaced my medium Overland with a large and all 3 of us fit with room to spare.

You might look into a less expensive tire to put on the trailer than MTR's which are pricey. I run 33-in MTR's on my Jeep and 35-in BFG AT's on the trailer (installed on the trailer when I bought it). It is more rare to lose a trailer tire than a vehicle tire and if I do lose a trailer tire that cannot be repaired on the trail, I can always limp it home with the spare MTR.

I have the Engel 45 and installed a TwoZone wireless thermometer (accurate and works great). I would like a larger fridge but the TwoZone unit will not fit in my trailer.

Your kids will love the trailer, my son calls it his "tree house tent".

 

[Bergger]

Congrats on you decision! :luxhello: You will not regret it. We just took our maiden voyage last weekend with our new Chaser and loved it. We have the 1800 tent and with the 3 of us, two adults and a 10 year old it was plenty of room. One more person and it would have been a little tighter but do'able. You may want to consider the family size tent. This will allow room as the kids grow. As mentioned definitely get brakes. We went with the Waeco 50 fridge. It's larger than the Engel and has some nice features that the Engel does not. It's only $30 more plus the mount is cheaper that the Engel. The wooden kitchen shelf is great. I also recommend that. The awning setup AT has for the Chaser is very nice but we decided to for go that at this time due to budget and just use our EZ-UP awning which works very nice. It stores nicely in between the water tank and nose box. I've attached a few photos from the past weekend and it gives you a bit of an idea of what it looks like. It gives us a nice shaded area to cook/eat under and just hang out if needed. Again congrats and let the fun begin!

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